I stood outside of my classroom with three heavy textbooks balancing on the top of my head while holding two large pails of water. What the hell is with this punishment?! Can teachers really do this to kids?

Stupid William dragged me to the teacher after discovering me and the teacher decided I would do this idiotic pose for the rest of the day.

Williams going to sorry for this. Mark my words. I went out of my way to be nice to him and he immediately outs me to the teacher. This is why I don't do nice things.

Once class finished, I rubbed my aching arms. I didn't know water could be that heavy. William and Dante met me after class.

William smirked, "Did you learn your lesson?"

"Yeah. Next time I won't try to be nice to you."

Dante spoke, "What happened?"

"Listen to this Dante. I helped out William with his girl problems and instead of thanking me he ratted me out to the teacher."

Dante nodded, "How cruel."

William scowled, "It's not cruel. She skipped class today."

I rolled my eyes, "Stop being a goody-two-shoes. You're going to scare the girls away acting like that."

He crossed his arms with a smug expression, "If you haven't noticed, several girls like me here."

"Only because of your face and title. Beauty isn't everything."

"Oh yeah? So tell me what is then if you're so smart. What do girls like?"

"They like the bad boys."

"Bad boys?"

I nodded, "Yup. Like Dante."

Dante looked surprised to be brought into the argument. He smiled, "I'm not a bad boy."

I gave him a disgusted look, "Uh. Yes. Yes, you are."

William pouted, "I'm a bad boy."

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, "No you're not. You're so vanilla."

"Vanilla?"

"Nevermind. Let's just go already. My arms are tired."

As we approached the carriage, Lona was already waiting and glaring at me. As William climbed in, she followed and sat next to him still glaring at me with her arms crossed. Me and Dante glanced at each other in confusion.

"Why are you two standing there? Get in already. You two can sit next to each other since you're such good friends."

Wow, she's still angry. She's the type of woman to hold a grudge, isn't she?

Dante gave a fake smile and climbed in. I reluctantly climbed in after him and sat down. As soon as the carriage started moving, I wanted to cry. I was looking forward to napping on Lona.

Dante nudged me, "If you'd like to lay down, you can use my lap."

I groaned. I won't stoop that low. No, Lona is laying down a challenge and I'm going to accept it. Who said I needed her?

Once we arrived I felt as if my soul had left my body. Lona snickered at me, "That wasn't so bad, now was it?"

Lona. You're a stone cold fox.

As me and Dante trained, William sat in the shade reading while Lona continued to look angry.

Dante knocked me on my back during one of our sparring exercises and I laid there annoyed. I'm getting so tired of falling on my butt.

I looked over and noticed that William and Lona were distracted.

Dante walked over to me, "Come on. Get up already."

I reached my hand out, "Help me up, will you?"

He reached out and grabbed my hand. I pulled him to the ground and we tumbled into the bushes. I laid on top of him and looked through the bushes.

He glared at me, "What are you doing?"

"Shh." I covered his mouth quickly. I looked and made sure Lona and William didn't notice. I climbed off of him and started crawling. I whispered, "Follow me."

"Why?"

"Because I'm kidnapping you. Now shut up and follow me."

He mumbled, "Some kidnapping."

Once we got far enough away, I stood up and quickly found us a better hiding spot. There was a hollow tree covered by bushes. We both crawled in and hunkered down.

"Are you going to tell me why you've decided to kidnap me and bring me to a secluded place?"

"Don't get too excited. This concerns the Ilene situation. The last thing I want is for those two to overhear."

He nodded, "Well, Lona is very angry."

"Ugh. You can tell?"

"She's been glaring at us all day."

"Yeah. But don't worry. I will solve that eventually."

"Sure you will. Now what did you want to discuss?"

"I want to take down Ilene's family. You said you would help with that."

"I did and I will. But, why do you care so much?"

"Isn't it obvious? She's an entitled brat and her entire family acts like they are better than everyone. I love taking arrogant a**holes like that down."

He chuckled, "How ironic."

I ignored him, "Anyways. I need you to find out who Ilene's father is involved with. Either financially or personally. A complete list. Can you do that?"

He shrugged, "I can do that. It might take a while. I'm not sure if I can find every single person that he has dealings with."

"I'm not concerned. I have faith in your skills." I tapped his face encouragingly, "If you have a hard time just use that pretty face of yours to charm some ladies. Maids and servant's love to gossip."

He shook off my hand, "I'm glad to hear you think my face is pretty."

"Don't let it go to your head."

"Alright. But what do you plan on doing?"

"Once you get me those names I can do some undercover work."

He chuckled, "Undercover work? Just how will you do that?"

"Don't worry about it. I have my ways."

"You make it sound suspicious."

"Like I said. Don't worry about it."

Of course, I could use my red light district connections to figure it out. But why bother wasting all that effort when I have knowledge from the novel?

In the novel, Ilene's father had been embezzling funds from the Royal family and was involved in illegal matters. Dante discovered this and brought it to light. William used this as a reason to break off his engagement. The Duke lost his dukedom and the family lost their noble status.

The novel discussed the name of the person he did illegal dealings with, but I can't recall the name. I'm sure I will remember if I see the name on the list Dante comes up with.

This all happens at least 10 years from now though. I'm not even sure if her father is doing anything illegal right now. The novel doesn't discuss when it started happening. But that's fine. I will wait however long I need to. Anything to bring that b*tch and her family down.

"Oh? So this is where you two were."

I looked up and noticed Lona looking into our hiding spot. She is getting too good at finding me.

"So? What are you two doing?"

I forced a smile, "We are having a romantic rendezvous." She grabbed my ear and dragged me out, "Ouch ouch! Lona! I'm sorry! Release meee!"

She let me go, "Well, since you are having fun and clearly not training, then we can just head home."

"No! I still haven't had any dinner yet!"

"Well you can skip it. Just like how you skipped class today."

My mouth dropped. I looked at Dante, "Who told her?"

He shook his head quickly. He had no idea. She glared, "Your teacher did. I wonder if I should tell your mother about it."

"Please, anything but that."

"Well let's just see what she says."

She dragged me away. Dante smiled at me and waved goodbye. What an evil child. I want to cry. The food is so good here.

As we rode in the carriage, I sheepishly looked at Lona, "Are you really going to tell her?"

"Maybe later. I won't let this situation add fuel to her fire. But, your father will probably find out when I give him your report."

I groaned, "Why are you so mean to me?"

"If you behave I won't have to be mean."

I was going to wait to make it up to Lona, but seeing how she is still this mad I think it's best if I make her happier quickly. She's a lot smarter then I give her credit for.

When we arrived back home, we had just stepped into the building when we heard arguing.

I glanced at Lona, "They are still going at it?"

"Seems like it."

I walked into the main hall and saw the both of them. They continued to argue without even noticing me. You know, even though I despise my mother, I have to hand it to her. I think she may be the only one able to yell at my father without backing down.

"So what are you going to do about the letter?!"

My father huffed, "I already told you. I will handle it."

"Oh, handle it? Just like how you handled the situation at the party?"

"Would you give it a rest already? I'm tired of you bringing this up!"

"Well if you just answered me, I wouldn't keep bringing it up!"

"There's no law that says I have to accept the Dukes visit."

"And I keep telling you! You can't just decline a Duke's visit! It will only make him angrier! Did you forget that some of our businesses are controlled by his dukedom?"

"I've already told you. He can't touch those!"

"How do you know?! He's a Duke and you're just a merchant!"

"Oh? Just a merchant? I didn't hear you complain when you spent half of my money on your blasted dresses."

I walked over to my father and tugged on his pants, "Daddy?"

He looked down at me and smiled. I could tell he was a bit angry still. "Oh! You're back early."

I smiled, "Daddy. Can you go on a walk with me?"

I need to end this arguing. It's going to give me a headache if they continue.

"A walk? But it's getting dark."

I sniffled, "But... Daddy..."

"Alright, alright. Don't cry. I would love to go on a walk." He added mumbling, "Anything to get away from this crazy woman."

"You can't just leave! We are having a discussion."

"Well I need a break from this discussion. I'm sure you'll remember exactly where you left off at when I'm done."

She huffed, "Of course I will."

"Yes. Of course."

He shuffled me away quickly leaving my mother staring daggers into our backs.

As we walked, I could tell he was a bit tense still. Looks like I will have to use my charm.

"Daddy Daddy! Look!" I pointed to my face as he looked. I gave a big goofy looking facial expression.

He chuckled, "What's that for?"

"To cheer you up, Daddy!"

"Well thank you so much."

Hmm. He still looks angry. What do kids usually do to be cute?

I held out my arms, "Carry me Daddy!"

"I thought you wanted to walk."

"Nope. I want you to carry me now. Is it no good?"

He picked me up, "I would never turn down an opportunity to carry my adorable daughter."

Gag. This is making me nauseous. I wrapped my hands around him to hide my disgusted face.

"Did you have fun at school today?"

Uhoh. I need to divert the conversation to avoid the topic of school.

"Daddy. I've missed you soooo much!"

"Heh. Daddy's missed you too! Do you get lonely without your daddy?"

Aha! Here's my chance.

"Of course! Without daddy I get so lonely I want to cry. If I didn't have Lona, I don't know what I would do."

"Lona? Do you really like her that much?"

"Not as much as Daddy. But, when your gone, she reads me to sleep and plays with me when I'm lonely. I don't know what I would do without her."

"Oh, I'm sure you would be fine without her."

"No, Daddy. If she disappeared, I would lock myself in my room and never eat. I would cry and cry. Daddy's only here sometimes, but Lona's here always. Whenever I'm sad, she makes me happy. Even though she scolds me, she is always on my side."

"Hmmm. Perhaps I've been to harsh with Lona. I didn't know she cared for you that deeply. I should thank her."

Hah. Got him. You better be grateful to me now, Lona.